Elliptical exercise methods and apparatus

• US 7,041,034 B1
• Filed: 08/04/2003
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph D. Maresh, Kenneth W. Stearns
• Original Assignee: Joseph D. Maresh, Kenneth W. Stearns
• Inventors: Maresh, Joseph D., Stearns, Kenneth W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R.
• Application Number:
  US10/634,138
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 53, 482/57, 482/70, 482 79- 80
• US Class Current: 482/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/002 electronically, e.g. by using a program
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/067 with crank and handles being on opposite sides of the exercising apparatus with respect to the frontal body-plane of the user, e.g. the crank is behind and handles are in front of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/009 Protective housings covering the working parts of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/001 by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure

Abstract

Various exercise apparatus have respective linkage assemblies which are movably mounted on a frame and link rotation of left and right cranks to elliptical movement of left and right foot supporting members. The linkage assemblies include separate linkage arrangements for horizontal and vertical displacement of the foot supporting members, and the linkage assemblies accommodate travel of the foot supporting members to positions laterally adjacent the cranks.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a frame having a base adapted to rest upon a floor surface, and a first end, and an opposite, second end;

a left crank and a right crank, wherein each said crank is rotatably mounted on the frame proximate the first end;

a left guide and a right guide, wherein each said guide is connected to the frame proximate the second end; and

a left foot linkage and a right foot linkage, wherein each said foot linkage includes a respective foot engaging portion, and each said foot linkage is movably interconnected between a respective crank and a respective guide in such a manner that each said foot engaging portion is movable through a generally elliptical path, and rotation of each said crank is directly linked to vertical displacement of each said foot engaging portion, and each said foot linkage includes a decoupling means for decoupling each said foot engaging portion from a respective crank, and a linking means for separately linking horizontal displacement of a respective foot engaging portion to rotation of a respective crank.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein said left crank and said right crank rotate about a common crank axis and cooperate to define a crank diameter, and at least a portion of each said foot engaging portion is movable to a position less than one-half said crank diameter from said crank axis.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein each said foot engaging portion is movable through a substantially elliptical path about said crank axis.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said guide is a rocker link pivotally coupled to said frame, and each said linking means includes a drawbar pivotally interconnected between a respective rocker link and a respective crank, and a forward portion of each said foot engaging portion is pivotally coupled to a respective rocker link.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein each said rocker link pivots about a common pivot axis relative to said frame, and each said drawbar is connected to a respective rocker link at a first distance from said pivot axis, and each said foot engaging portion is connected to a respective rocker link at a second, relatively greater distance from said pivot axis.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein said left crank and said right crank rotate about a common crank axis and cooperate to define a crank diameter, and at least a portion of each said foot engaging platform is movable to a position less than one-half said crank diameter from said crank axis.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein each said foot engaging platform is movable through a substantially elliptical path about said crank axis.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said decoupling means includes a floating link pivotally connected to a respective crank, and each said foot engaging portion is affixed to a rail having a forward portion connected to a respective guide, and a rearward portion supported by a respective floating link, and each said linking means includes a drawbar pivotally interconnected between a respective crank and a respective rail.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said foot engaging portion is movably mounted on a respective guide, and a rearward portion of each said guide is supported by a respective roller rotatably mounted on a respective crank, and each said foot linkage includes a drawbar pivotally interconnected between a respective crank and a respective toot engaging portion.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said guide is a respective rocker link, and each said foot engaging portion has a forward portion pivotally connected to a respective rocker link, and each said foot linkage includes a rail having a rearward portion pivotally connected to a respective crank, and a forward portion connected in telescoping fashion to a rearward portion of a respective foot engaging portion, and each said foot linkage includes a drawbar pivotally interconnected between a respective crank and a rocker link.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a left crank support and a right crank support, and each said crank is disposed between the left crank support and the right crank support.